2013 Isle of Man TT Fatality: Matsushita Passes in Crash

Another life was claimed Monday at the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course during practice for the 2013 Isle of Man TT – the 240th to date in both TT and Manx Grand Prix races since 1911.

The Auto Cycle Union (ACU) reports that Yoshinari Matsushita, 43, of Japan, was killed following a crash at Ballacrye in the north section of the Isle of Man.

The ACU reports that Monday’s qualifying session was immediately red flagged following Matsushita’s demise. The ACU reports that an investigation by the Coroner is underway.

The rider of Saitama, Japan, first competed at the TT in 2009. He raced in both the Superstock and Superbike classes, and finished fifth overall in the 2011 TT Zero races (electric motorcycles). Matsushita was also a 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.

Matsushita, from Saitama in Japan was an experienced racer who first competed at the TT Races in 2009. As well as competing regularly in the Superstock and Superbike classes he also finished 5th in the 2011 TT Zero for electric bikes. He was also 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.

Gary Thompson (Clerk of the Course, ACU) says:“Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT Races paddock. He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.”

There were no fatalities in the 2012 Isle of Man TT, but the 2011 event was marred by three.

The first fatal crash of 2011 Isle of Man TT occurred during practice for the Sidecar race. The ACU reported that Bill Currie, 67, of Ellesmere Port, and his passenger Kevin Morgan, 59, of Shrewsbury, were killed during the IOMTT sidecar crash at Ballacrye in the north part of the Mountain Course.

The third rider to perish on the Mountain Course was Derek Brien, 34, of Co. Meath in Ireland. Brien was killed during the IOMTT crash in the first Supersport race. The ACU reported that the fatal, one-man IOMTT crash occurred during a high-speed section at Gorse Lea.

Matsushita’s death was the 17th at the Isle of Man TT event since the turn of the century.